-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The beating of a gay man during a gay pride festival in Detroit over the weekend was caught on camera .

Christin Howard , a 20-year-old hair dresser , was attacked by a group of men on Detroit 's Riverwalk during the Motor City Pride event on Sunday . A video shot by a bystander shows the group kicking and punching Howard .

Christin told CNN affiliate WXYZ he was taking a picture with a friend when things suddenly turned violent .

A group of men began to `` gay bash '' him , he said , hurling anti-gay slurs his way . Then they started to physically attack him .

`` I just thought I was going to die . At one point I thought they were going to kill me , '' Howard said .

The attack left Howard bruised with a bloody eye , cuts and a broken finger , leaving him unable to sleep or work .

David Wait , chair of Motor City Pride , called the incident troubling , adding that he 'd noticed `` record attendance on Sunday and we took steps to increase security . '' Wait praised police for their `` swift efforts '' at investigating the crime .

Other advocates for the LGBT community in Michigan say this attack means there is more work to do .

`` No one should have to endure an attack like Christin Howard did ... pride celebrations offer people in our communities an opportunity to feel safe in expressing our authentic selves , '' said Yvnoone Siferd , director of victim services for Equality Michigan .

As for Howard , he is on the fence about returning to the festival next year .

`` I 'm kind of iffy about it now , because I do n't want that same incident to happen again , '' he said . `` What if the same guys -LRB- are -RRB- down there ? ''

The Detroit Police Department is investigating and calls the attack a hate crime .

`` We know about the video . We are seeking public assistance in identifying people in the video , '' said Nicole Kirkwood , a public information officer for the Detroit Police Department .

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Video captures beating of 20-year-old man at Detroit gay pride festival

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Group of men kicked and punched man when he was taking pictures with a friend

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Detroit police are characterizing the attack as a hate crime